Welcome Village
From mud hut to proper home
was Herman Steur’s dream
for the poorest of poor;
Born to a rich home in Holland,
father of Family Help,
Herman came here to start
a shrimp peel factory;
electricity was a problem
in the free trade zone,
so he abandoned his idea.
He lived in Uswetakeiyawa,
a village by the ocean;
one night a woman
appeared at his doorstep
asking for a bed sheet
to wrap her husband’s body,
he had drowned at sea –
Herman promptly gave her
what she sought.
Saddened by the plight
of the poor fisher folk,
Herman decided to found an aid
group to help the poorest of poor,
teaming up with Father Lucian Dep.
Herman is no more –
gone to his Eternal Reward,
leaving behind his good works
for the people in the street.
The folk of Welcome Village
are happy and content.
May this good deed remain with us forever –
May your soul rest in peace, Herman Steur.
Edward Wijeratne
Kandy
